Kelly Ernst

Niagara Falls

Editor, Personal Finance at CNET

Wannabe revolutionary, improvement junkie, hater of the 9-5 and lover of all things snarky. That's right, spell check. Snarky is a word.

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Articles

Don't Let a Recession Destroy Your Savings. Here's How to Protect Your Money

4 days ago | cnet.com | Kelly Ernst

A recession can wreak havoc on your finances, and they've already been through enough recently. From persistent high prices to stock market turmoil, it seems like the economic hits just keep coming. But what can you do to keep your money safe? The answer isn't stuffing all your cash under your mattress. And it's not keeping it in any one place, either. The best place for your money in a recession depends on what you want to use it for.
Where's the Best Place to Keep Your Money in a Recession?

6 days ago | cnet.com | Kelly Ernst

If your retirement funds took a hit with the recent stock market plunge, you probably know we could be facing an economic downturn. A recession could put your finances at risk, threatening jobs and hard-earned savings. An unstable economy doesn't mean you should keep all your cash under the mattress, though. You should never keep all your money in just one place, period. Knowing the best places to put your dollars can help protect your finances from market turbulence.
Where's the Best Place to Keep Your Money in a Recession?

6 days ago | finance.yahoo.com | Kelly Ernst

The best place for your cash depends on what you want to use it for. If your retirement funds took a hit with the recent stock market plunge, you probably know we could be facing an economic downturn. A recession could put your finances at risk, threatening jobs and hard-earned savings. An unstable economy doesn't mean you should keep all your cash under the mattress, though. You should never keep all your money in just one place, period.
Best CD Rates - Week of May 5 - May 9, 2025

1 week ago | cnet.com | Kelly Ernst

This week's Federal Reserve rate pause is good news for savers. But with rate cuts expected later this year, now's the time to take advantage of high annual percentage yields while they're still around. "CDs offer yield and fixed income, which can be a welcome source of stability in such a volatile political and economic environment," said Noah Damsky, CFA, Principal of Marina Wealth Advisors.
The Fed Paused Rates Again. Here's What That Means for CD and Savings Account APYs

1 week ago | cnet.com | Toni Husbands |Kelly Ernst

To no one's great surprise, the Federal Reserve paused interest rates again today, keeping them at a target range of 4.25% to 4.5%. It's the third time the Fed has paused rates this year.
Trying the No-Buy Challenge for 30 Days Actually Made My Life Less Boring

1 week ago | cnet.com | Kelly Ernst

I had my doubts about the no-buy challenge. I'd been seeing it all over social media, but as a personal finance editor, I wasn't sure it could teach me anything new about managing my money. Still, prices are insane and a recession is looming, so I figured it couldn't hurt to try. So, for 30 days, I bought only essentials. And I was honestly amazed by how transformative it wound up being. Sure, it saved me a chunk of change.
Best CD Rates - Week of May 5 - May 9, 2025

1 week ago | cnet.com | Kelly Ernst

If the economic headlines have you stressed, a certificate of deposit can provide some much-needed peace of mind. "CDs offer yield and fixed income, which can be a welcome source of stability in such a volatile political and economic environment," said Noah Damsky, CFA, Principal of Marina Wealth Advisors.
Which Is Better for Savers? Comparing the New I Bond Rate to CDs

1 week ago | cnet.com | Kelly Ernst

The Series I savings bond will now earn 3.98% from May 1 through October 31, 2025. That could make it the right investment choice for some savers. A few years ago, I bonds were a hot commodity: a low-risk investment option designed to protect your money from inflation. That's when interest rates on these government-issued bonds jumped to an impressive 9.62%, much higher than the near-zero rates on other savings accounts.
Which Is Better for Savers? Comparing the New I Bond Rate to CDs

1 week ago | finance.yahoo.com | Kelly Ernst

Unlock stock picks and a broker-level newsfeed that powers Wall Street. Kelly Ernst Thu, May 1, 2025, 5:00 PM 7 min read The new I bond rate isn't as high as some CDs, but it's worth considering for long-term savings goals. The Series I savings bond will now earn 3.98% from May 1 through October 31, 2025. That could make it the right investment choice for some savers. A few years ago, I bonds were a hot commodity: a low-risk investment option designed to protect your money from inflation.
At the Table with Alteño

1 week ago | citylifestyle.com | Kelly Ernst

The more I reflect, the more I find it funny how hard we try to spend as many hours as possible in restaurants; at least, I’ll assume you are like me, and this is true. But for every hour we spend hosted by someone else, our biggest desire is to leave. We desire to be brought to another place, somewhere across the world, to be transported to the desert landscape someone else calls home, their childhood playground, their family’s dinner table.